(Click on each day to reveal detailed itinerary)

Depart UK and fly to Delhi

On arrival in Delhi you will be at the airport and taken to the hotel in the city centre. After some time to rest after your journey your tour leader will meet the group and take you on a tour of New Delhi. The tour will include the most famous monuments such as the incredible 73m minaret of Qutab Minar, the tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, the Parliament Buildings and the splendid India Gate. In the evening there is the opportunity to take dinner in one of Delhi's famous restaurants. Overnight in Delhi. (Hotel) Meals: lunch

This morning one of our team in Delhi will meet you at the hotel, accompany you to the train station and make sure you are settled into your seats before leaving you to enjoy the ride. (we will let you know the estimated time of arrival plus you will be given a list of all the station stops en-route so you will know when to get off) You will be met by another member of our team at Sawai Madhopur and from here take a short drive (10km) to reach Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore is a vast 1300 sq km of wild jungle, lakes, crags and crumbling temples. Wildlife in the park includes: langur, crocodile, jackal, sloth bear, hyenas and around 42 tigers. As many as 272 bird species have been recorded in the park. Once you have settled into your lodge you will head out on an afternoon game drive with one of the expert park guides. Overnight in Ranthambore. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, dinner

This morning you will venture out on an early morning game drive, and after lunch visit the spectacular Ranthambore Fort high up on a 65m escarpment and offering fantastic views of the park. Overnight in Ranthambore. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today you leave Ranthambore, and drive out toward Orchha. En-route you will pass through many rural communities and the Shivpuri Wildlife Sanctuary, reaching Orchha in the early evening. Overnight Orchha. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch

Today you have a full day to explore Orchha. In the morning a guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to the famous temple and palace complex. This palace was once the capital of the fearless Rajput warriors and positioned on the banks of the Betwa River. In the afternoon you can stroll around the quiet villages and adjust to the pace of life in rural India. Overnight in Orchha. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

After breakfast you will drive to the ‘Temple City of Central India.’ Khajaraho is famed for the sheer number of temples all of which are intricately carved and each dedicated to a different deity, some of the carvings are stunningly explicit! Overnight in Khajuraho. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Today you will take a drive out to the small Panna National Park (57km) the park has some breath taking scenery and a high concentration of mammals including tigers. Optional trips in the park include elephant safari or a boat ride on the lake, both trips offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Late afternoon you will return to Khajuraho. Overnight in Khajuraho. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

This morning you leave Khajuraho and begin the long drive (270km) to the little National Park of Bandhavgarh. On arrival you will check-in and relax in the peaceful surroundings. Overnight in Bandhavgarh. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

You have a full day today to spend exploring the park, there will be a morning and afternoon game drive with time in between to relax at the lodge or do a spot of bird watching. Overnight in Bandhavgarh. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

In the morning there will be one last game drive before heading off to Katni. Overnight in Katni. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Early in the morning you will be taken to the train station. The day will be spent on the day train chugging through the rugged Indian countryside and rural villages until you reach the holiest city in India – Varanasi. You will arrive in Varanasi in the late afternoon, our representative in Varanasi will be waiting for you on the platform and take you to the hotel. Overnight in Varanasi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Today you take a drive out of the noisy, bustling city of Varanasi to the haven of tranquillity that is Sarnath. Sarnath is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world as it was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon having gained enlightenment. Pilgrims flock to Sarnath daily, the site is surrounded with temples built by Buddhists from around the world. In the afternoon you return to Varanasi and take a rickshaw ride through the city to the famous ghats. Varanasi is a very auspicious place to be cremated for Hindus and the cremation ghats are burning night and day. You can take a boat trip after dark to see the burning ghats and watch the incredible Aarti ceremony performed by the Hindu priests. Overnight in Varanasi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

At first light you can return to the Ganges and take a boat ride along the ghats to see the local people bathing in the holy waters and watch the sun rising across the river. After breakfast you can visit one of the silk workshops that Varanasi is also famed for. In the early evening you will board the overnight train back to Delhi. Our representative in Varanasi will help you find your bunks before leaving you to settle in for the night. Overnight on train. (sleeper train) Meals: breakfast

On arrival in Delhi you will again be met on the platform and taken to the hotel where you will have time to freshen up. Later you will conclude your tour with a cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi including the Chandni Chowk Bazaar, you will pass by the immense Red Fort and visit India’s biggest mosque. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this magnificient capital and enjoy a final meal in one of Delhis finest restaurants. Overnight in Delhi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Today your tour ends in Delhi. Depending on flight times there may be time for some additional sightseeing in Delhi before transferring to the international airport for onward flights. Fly from Delhi. Meals: breakfast